Trump's DOGE Department Refutes Shutdown Reports and Highlights $335M in Recent Taxpayer Savings

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has firmly rejected reports claiming its discontinuation, stating it remains fully operational and will resume regular updates shortly.

On Monday, DOGE published a statement on X platform refuting claims of its shutdown, specifically labeling Reuters' reporting as "fake news."

Addressing Reuters directly, which had reported the department's disbandment after eight months, DOGE stated: "President Trump was given a mandate by the American people to modernise the federal government and reduce waste, fraud and abuse."

DOGE highlighted recent accomplishments, noting that within the past week alone, it had terminated 78 contracts, resulting in taxpayer savings of $335 million, and promised to resume its standard Friday updates soon.

This statement contradicts information from Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, who reportedly told Reuters earlier this month that DOGE "doesn't exist."

Initially established under President Donald Trump's administration to streamline government operations and eliminate unnecessary expenditures, DOGE was originally headed by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Following Musk's departure eight months ago, the department has operated without a clearly designated leader, creating ambiguity about its organizational structure and daily functions.

Nevertheless, DOGE maintains it continues collaborative efforts with other government agencies to enhance technology and software systems.

"USDS is still partnering with agencies to modernise federal technology and software to maximise governmental efficiency and productivity," the department declared in a post shared by Amy Gleason, who according to CNN is serving as DOGE's acting head.

According to DOGE's tracking system, the department has achieved estimated savings of $214 billion as of October 4 through various initiatives including asset sales, contract and lease cancellations or renegotiations, prevention of fraudulent payments, grant terminations, and workforce reductions. Various experts and analysts have previously questioned the validity of these reported savings figures.

Several former DOGE personnel have transitioned to other positions within the government.

Zachary Terrell, who previously accessed sensitive health-system data during his tenure at DOGE, now serves as Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Jeremy Lewin, formerly a DOGE associate involved in dismantling USAID as part of Musk's cost-reduction strategy, has been appointed as Acting Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance.

Rachel Riley, another former DOGE team member who worked on health-system data access, currently holds the position of Acting Chief of the Office of Naval Research.